Today, if you think about a sporty compact Honda, you’re probably picturing some variant of the Civic, perhaps an Si or Type R. But back in the day, you could very well have thought of the Honda Prelude, a sporty model that served as Honda’s response to the then-popular Toyota Celica and went on to […]
Category: Car History
Alpine Makes a Play for the US Market With Two New EVs
From macarons, Bordeaux, and the eponymous fries to the Statue of Liberty, the layout of Washington, DC, and 7’4” NBA big man Victor Wembanyama, there are a few French contributions to American culture that are undoubtedly très magnifique. However, French vehicles have never seen significant success in the US market. Renault was probably the most […]
As Manufacturers Dive Into EVs, What Brand and Model Names Are Going to Last?
The automotive world continues to drive headlong into the world of electric vehicles. Although the growth rate has slowed a bit in the last year, the EV market share continues to grow. In 2023, about 25% of all new cars sold globally were EVs, with individual countries reaching as high as 90%. As such, more […]
My Favorite Controversial and Hilarious Car Model Names
Car model names are an interesting thing. They don’t happen by accident, and these days, there are almost certainly entire teams of people working on choosing a name for each model. The results can vary in terms of impact and quality because this kind of marketing and brand labeling isn’t an exact science. Sometimes, the […]
Exactly How Useful Is a Carfax Report?
When you’re shopping for used cars for sale, many dealerships will promise that the vehicle you’re interested in comes with the Carfax report. You’re supposed to take a lot of comfort in this because it’s basically the rap sheet for your vehicle. It’s like running a background check on a car before deciding to buy […]
The Worst Cars Ever Made: Part 4 – The Chevy Corvair
Ralph Nader wore plenty of hats during his long career. The political activist, author, environmentalist, consumer advocate, and attorney is most well-known for his four failed presidential bids between 1996 and 2008, but among certain Detroit-based auto executives, he’ll go down in history as the man who killed the Chevrolet Corvair. Released in 1960, Chevy’s […]
How Has Lexus Changed Over the Last Two Decades?
The Lexus nameplate is one of the world’s most-recognized luxury automotive brands. Since the first Lexus vehicles were sold in 1989, following six years of development, they have earned a reputation for excellent quality, comfort, and a painstaking production and quality control process to ensure every single part meets their standards. To this day, the […]
The New 2024 Buick Envista Brings Affordable Luxury to the Masses
The world of Buick has been changing over the last several years, and the inclusion of the new 2024 Buick Envista is ushering in a whole new era for this classic car brand. Everyone from your local Buick dealer to Buick enthusiasts is excited about this new SUV in Buick’s lineup. Changing demographics, different priorities […]
The Dodge Challenger Represents the Last of the Personal Luxury Car
How many personal luxury cars can you think of off the top of your head that are available as new model years being produced in America for American drivers? The cars that first come to mind that you’re about to rattle off are all European. The BMW 8 Series? The Porsche 911? The Mercedes-Benz C-Class? […]
The Worst Cars Ever Made: Part 3 – The Ford Pinto
While the “Worst Cars Ever Made” series has allowed us to take a look back at some of the most infamous and amusingly bad models in automotive history, some tales are a little heavier than others. The Yugo certainly had its problems, but ill-advised American import aside, it largely lived up to its goal of […]
How Has the Chevy Suburban Managed to Live So Long?
You know all about the Chevy Suburban. Of course you do—it’s been around for nearly a century. Without diving into the detailed mathematics of it all, it is extremely likely that every American automotive enthusiast has driven, ridden in, or been in the presence of the Suburban. The 2024 Chevy Suburban marks this nameplate’s 89th […]
You’ve Come a Long Way: 1972 Honda Civic vs 2024 Honda Civic Sedan
The year was 1972, and change was in the air. Nixon had just been re-elected but was under the cloud of Watergate. The Oakland As were about to win their first of three straight World Series, while swimmer Marc Spitz captured seven gold medals at the Munich Olympics. I turned eight years old, and remember […]
The Worst Cars Ever Made: Part 2 – The Geo Prizm
The Geo Prizm—and the Geo brand as a whole—has become little more than a minor footnote in automotive history. First debuting in 1989, General Motors’ compact sub-brand was conceived as a way of allowing the automaker to compete with the new wave of small, efficient compact and subcompact models emerging from Japan and South Korea. […]
The Worst Cars Ever Made: Part 1 – The Yugo
Some vehicles reach icon status thanks to their legendary performance, while others owe their notoriety to eye-catching style. An appearance in a popular movie or TV series could help a model go down in the history books, as could some success in a professional racing series. Then there are the models that become household names […]
When Will Car Prices Stabilize?
In recent months and years, consumers have been greeted with significant price increases due to inflation, supply chain issues, and other factors. Car buyers, in particular, are feeling the pinch. Edmunds reports that in July 2023, the average person paid 33.7% more for a new car and 45.7% more for a used car than they […]
Finding the Best Used Honda for Your Commute
Whether you work nearby or commute, finding a vehicle that gets you from point A to point B is crucial. However, it’s more than just fuel efficiency and safety. You want to feel comfortable and connected during the drive. Plus, your vehicle needs to go the extra mile when the kids need to be picked […]
How Mazda’s Ideology Is Changing the Industry, One Car at a Time
The Mazda brand has found resounding success in the automotive industry, winning over the public by establishing itself as a company that produces affordable vehicles with a unique blend of impressive performance and modern style. But, the best part about Mazda is that every vehicle is designed with the driver in mind, creating a fun […]
The History of Cars in Video Games (Part Three): The Modern Age
Here we are – the last part of our discussion. If you’re new here, I encourage you to read parts one and two and then return here to get the whole picture. For those returning readers, I’m glad to have you here, and this part of our discussion will bring us to the modern age […]
Is Infiniti Headed to the Great Garage in the Sky?
When I was a little kid, I knew my cars. I knew the Hot Wheels that I could push across a kitchen table for hours on end, and I knew the cars that I saw on the street. I knew all the usual brands, although I had no idea of the relationships they shared, but […]
Lotus: Enduring the Storm and Ready to Bloom
Mysteriously named for a beautiful flower that symbolizes overcoming adversity, Lotus Cars has overcome more than its fair share since being founded by Colin and Hazel Chapman in an unused horsebarn 75 years ago. It wasn’t always that way. In fact, Lotus is the most influential automaker that my wife has never heard of. Derivations […]